Wearing Hijabs at Work

Work often presents a real problem for Muslim women - how do you adhere to dress codes, look professional & stay modest? What you wear obviously depends on where you work and what you do. For office jobs it is best to choose dark, plain headscarves and simple outfits. If you wear outer-garments over your clothes, a jilbab is your best option because it looks simple and plain. Otherwise you can choose any long, plain clothes that cover you without having too much excess fabric.

For jobs with relaxed dress codes, such as teaching, design or retail, you will probably have a lot more choice. If you are working with people who don't know much about Islam or are negative towards the hijab, choosing soft, relaxed styles and pretty patterns is a good way to appear approachable and emphasise that your clothing is less important than how you do your job.

In terms of headscarves, an al-almeera hijab is probably the best choice as they are elasticated and will stay put. Make sure that yours fits properly and if possible, try on your al-almeera before you buy. The best way to make sure is to put on your al-almeera hijab and try moving your head up, down and looking over your shoulders - yes, you might look a little funny, but it's better than your scarf falling off in the middle of the gym!

Machinery & Factories

If you are working with machinery, long flowing clothes can be a safety risk and you may be asked to alter your clothing. An al-ameera style is your best option as it is secure and won't get caught in machinery. In terms of general clothing, it is best to choose the simplest, closest fitting outfit that you feel is appropriate. Make it clear that you are willing to wear any protective/safety clothing over your hijab and demonstrate that your hijab will not fall off by explaining how you have fastened your hijab securely - sometimes merely showing your employer the pins or elastic that secure your hijab can make a big difference in their views.

The biggest problem with Health and Safety at work can often be insurance. Employers have to insure against workplace injuries, and often they are covered only on the condition that employees wear safety garments and uniforms or behave in a certain way. If your employer has an issue with your clothing, try to discern whether it is due to their personal views or Health and Safety regulations.

If it is the latter, your employer may not actually have a choice in asking you to alter your clothing. Try to work out a way to obey regulations and maintain your modesty, but be prepared for the fact that your mode of dress may just be incompatible with Health and Safety regulations.

You employer should have made you aware of any Health and Safety issues before employing you, so always ask plenty of questions when applying for this sort of job and be honest about when you will be wearing to work. Hopefully if both you and your employer remain open-minded, you can come to an arrangement that suits you both.

Dealing with People's Preconceptions about the Hijab

Unfortunately many employers may have preconceptions about employing women in Hijab, or how you will behave at work. It's important to remember the difference between outright prejudice and ignorance - you may be the first covered woman that they have ever employed or known personally. Obviously if you are the victim of discrimination, it is important to act accordingly; but if your employers are simply ignorant of Islam, there are simple ways to remedy the situation.

Try to answer any questions that people may have about the way you dress, but focus on the practicalities rather than religious beliefs. People are often wary of what they do not understand, but simply explaining yourself can make a big difference.

The most important thing is to remain professional and demonstrate that you are able to do your job regardless of what you wear. State your right to dress modestly, but acknowledge the requirements of your job. Always be honest about any religious requirements at the interview stage, so that once you are at work, both you and your employer are clear about any issues. Hopefully if you are prepared to answer questions and your employer judges you by the work you do, not your clothing, you can find a happy balance in the workplace.

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